A new resource has been launched to support church toddler group leaders in supporting young children's faith and preparing them for school. The booklet, titled 'It's not just a parent and toddler group', has been created by Joanna Gordon, CEO of children's ministry Daniel's Den, Andy Frost of Share Jesus International, and David King, of the Gather Movement.
Premier Christian Radio host Justin Brierley is optimistic about a steady resurgence of belief in God, while historian Tom Holland believes the confident atheism spearheaded by the likes of Richard Dawkins in the 2000s has "crumbled and collapsed".
Two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, families in the country are desperate and looking to the Church for support, putting clergy under huge pressure.
The Future of Church Safeguarding, by Professor Alexis Jay, former Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), identified "shortcomings" with current safeguarding arrangements, including a lack of independent scrutiny and trust between the Church and victims.
An organisation supporting Ukrainians who fled to the UK after the outbreak of war with Russia is appealing to the UK government to give them more ways to stay long-term. The government recently announced a visa extension programme for Ukrainians, but it only offers an extra 18 months.
A campaign has been launched to protect religious programmes from potential cuts in a new Media Bill going through Parliament. The Sandford St Martin Trust has published its #BeliefMatters petition – timed to coincide with the passage of the government's Media Bill to the House of Lords – and has encouraged anyone concerned about the threat to religious broadcasting to sign it.
Contrary to suggestions in the media, the leader of a UK evangelical church network has said there has not been any "significant influx" of asylum seekers turning to the Christian faith.
Chinese families are coming under pressure to keep the Christian faith from their children. Chinese partners of Release International, an organisation supporting persecuted Christians worldwide, said that schoolchildren are being made to declare whether they are Christians. Those who state that they are must then sign a declaration promising to renounce Christianity.
A group of conservative bishops has issued a new "theological vision" for the Church of England's process of discernment around issues of marriage, relationships, gender and identity.
Christians are praying for King Charles after Buckingham Palace announced that he has been diagnosed with cancer. The type of cancer has not been revealed but Buckingham Palace confirmed that treatment has now begun.
There has been a significant increase in the number of people in Switzerland who do not have any religious affiliation. 'Nones' now comprise the largest group when it comes to belief - or lack of belief - comprising over a third of the population (34%).
I first met Brian Kreeger, author of The Courageous Ask: A Proactive Approach to Prevent the Fall of Christian Non-profit Leaders, at the 2023 Christian Leadership Conference in Chicago in March. Along with another attendee, we shared an enjoyable day together after the conference as tourists, including a cruise on the Chicago River and joining the multitude at the spectacular sculpture Cloud Gate.
